Stella’s P. O. V.
Today, I thought I would die. I was terrified, and all I could think about was Alex praying to see him one last time.
Then he came to save me, putting his own life in danger. He stepped into the fire for me without caring about himself for even a second. His actions proved how much he loves me. All my doubts have been cleared. I’m now completely sure that nobody can love me more than Alex.
It’s said true everything happens for a reason. I had to go through heartbreak because God had a bigger plan for me-a plan that would lead me to someone who would love me unconditionally, without limits or fear.
We’re now in the college medical room. A nurse is applying ointment to his burn. It’s hard to look at without my chest tightening painfully. Tears keep slipping down my cheeks, and every time he notices, he gives me that reassuring smile, telling me over and over that he’s fine.
But I know it’s hurting him. I can see it in the way his jaw clenches, the slight flinch he tries to hide as the nurse touches his burned skin. And yet, even now, all he seems to care about is me.
How can he be so selfless, so fearless, when it comes to me? How can anybody love me like this?
“Flower,” he murmurs, reaching for my hand with his uninjured arm. “Please, stop crying. I’m really okay. It was just a small burn.”
“Small burn?” I choke out, shaking my head. “I know it’s hurting you, Alex. Please don’t pretend.”
“Fine. It’s hurting, but it’ll be okay, Stella.” He explains to me, “The burn will get healed. Look at the positive side. We both made it out of that burning room safely. You’re fine. Here with me.”
I feel a wave of gratitude. I’m here with him right now, alive, because of him only. If he hadn’t come to save me from the fire, I would have died.
I pull him into a tight hug, and my voice trembles as I say, “Thank you, Alex. Thank you for coming for me… for saving me. I thought I wouldn’t be able to see you again.”
He strokes my back. “I’ll always come for you, Stella. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”
We stay like that, getting lost in each other, until I finally pull back, realising the nurse is still there. She watches us with a small smile before clearing her throat.
“I’ve applied the ointment, but you really should see a doctor. Burn injuries can be unpredictable, and it’s best to get it checked.”
Alex nods, but his focus remains on me.
“Let’s go then,” I say, gripping his hand tightly. “We’re getting you checked out. No arguments.”
He chuckles, squeezing my hand in return. “Alright, Flower. For you, no arguments.”
As we’re about to step out of the medical room, I stop at the doorway, my heart suddenly heavy with worry. Alex notices and also stops, looking down at me with a concerned expression. “What’s wrong, Stella?”
“Zoe and Selena,” I respond, fidgeting with my necklace nervously. “They must have figured out by now… about us. I’m terrified of what they’ll think. I mean, you’re my stepbrother. What if they can’t understand? What if they judge us?”
He steps closer and places his good hand on my face. “Hey, they’re your friends. They care about you. And they’ll see how much we mean to each other. I’m sure they’ll come around.”
I bite my lip, not fully convinced. “How can you be so sure?”
“Sky already knows,” he tells me, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. When did he get to know? “He found out at your mom’s birthday party. And he supports us, Stella. He wants us to be happy.”
Hearing this eases a little of the tension. If Sky, who’s been Alex’s friend, can understand, maybe Zoe and Selena will also understand.
“Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
He gives me a warm smile. “We’ll handle it together. Now, let’s get this burn looked at, okay?”
I nod, and we step out of the medical room together. Outside, we find Sky, Zoe, and Selena waiting anxiously. As soon as they see us, they rush over, their faces filled with relief.
“How’s your hand?” Zoe asks, glancing at Alex’s bandaged arm.
I explain, “The nurse said we should go see a doctor to be safe. We’ll head there now.”
“Alright, after that, let’s meet up at Sky and my place,” Zoe suggests. “We’ll order some food and talk.” Her eyes flicker between Alex and me.
I nod. “Yeah! Sure.”
***
As I drive towards the hospital, Alex sits beside me in the passenger seat. His gaze never leaves me. It’s as though he’s afraid that if he looks away, even for a second, I’ll vanish. The intensity in his eyes makes my heart race.
I never imagined anyone would love me the way he does. I replay today’s moment in my mind over and over. The panic in his eyes as he kicked down that burning beam to reach me without thinking about his life. The way he held me close, even with fire surrounding us. And the pain he tried so hard to hide when he shielded me from the flames. He didn’t care about his safety-only mine. It’s like he took every fear, every doubt I had, and burned them away with the flames.
I glance over at him, a teasing smile forming on my lips. “Do you plan to keep staring at me all the way to the hospital, Mr NMG?”
He lets out a chuckle, but there’s a glint of something more serious in his eyes. “Can you blame me? I thought I’d lost you today, Stella. I keep thinking about what could’ve happened if I hadn’t reached you in time. Seeing you in that room… surrounded by flames… I don’t think I’ve ever been that scared in my life.”
Hearing him admit this so openly makes my heart ache and swell with love at the same time. How can someone love me to this extent?
I feel like embracing him. But I can’t because I’m driving.
So, I just place my hand on top of his, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “But you did reach me, Alex. You saved me. And now I’m right here with you.”
He exhales, his grip on my hand tightening just slightly. “I just… I never want to go through something like that again. When I saw you trapped in that room, I felt completely powerless. I would’ve done anything to get you out, even if it meant getting hurt.”
A tear slips down my eyes at his words as I concentrate on the road.
“Hey, why are you crying?” He wipes the tear.
“Seriously, I never thought that you…” I try to hold back a sob, swallowing hard as I feel my heart swell with emotions. “Someone would risk his life to protect me. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve you.” More tears trickle down my cheeks.
He shifts closer. “You don’t have to do anything to deserve my love. Stella, you’re everything to me. You are worth every risk and every sacrifice. I’d do it all over again without a second thought.”
I’m getting more emotional. No one has ever said something like that to me. No one has ever made me feel so fiercely cherished. I feel so lucky to have him.